Support for Asylum Seekers

Find and register with a GP (doctor)  as you have the right to register with a GP even if you have no documents or no permanent address. You can ask the GP clinic to register you using the clinic’s address or the address of a friend or community centre.

Find and register with a dentist  as you are encouraged to take advantage of preventive care to maintain good oral health.

Mental health and wellbeing services can support you and can be accessed 24 hours a day on 0800 995 1000.

Mental health support in your own language supports you, Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Contact Boloh.helpline@barnardos.org.uk or call 0800 151 2605.

Free education places for two year olds can be accessed by eligible parents for up to 15 hours of funded childcare and early education for up to 15 hours per week (38 weeks per year).

Free education places for three and four year olds. All three and four year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education a week (38 weeks per year) until they either go into reception or reach compulsory school age.

School places for 4-16 year olds should be applied for on arrival for all 4-16 year olds, and 3 year olds who will be 4 years old before 1 September.

Free education and training for 16-19 year olds provides careers information, advice and guidance on further education, training (apprenticeships, traineeships) and employment options, to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

ESOL: English classes for adults who have been in the UK for at least six months from entry and beginner through to intermediate and advanced level. 

RAMFEL provides a drop-in advice and foodbank every Thursday 10am to 1pm at Cardinal Heenan Centre, High Road, Ilford, IG1 1QP. Telephone advice lines are open for new clients on Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 12pm, call on 020 7052 5212 or email info@ramfel.org.uk

Citizens Advice Redbridge provides free, confidential and independent advice at Redbridge Central Library, First Floor, Clements Road, Ilford, IG1 1EA. Call on 0808 278 7872 or email advice@citizensadviceredbridge.org.uk

Wanstead and Woodford Migrant Support provides advice services for asylum seekers. Call on 020 4548 3269 or email contact@wwms.org.uk

As soon as you have received your immigration decision, please visit Redbridge Council's Housing Team at Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NN between 9am - 4.45pm.

Please note:

• we are unable to provide accommodation for you unless you have children, or can provide evidence that you are in priority need
• If we have a duty to provide accommodation, it is likely to be in other parts of England because of a local housing shortage
• If you don’t have children, and are not in priority need, we can give you advice about how to find your own accommodation

Catch22 - The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) helps refugees with the right to work find jobs and training.

Work Redbridge assist residents of all ages looking for employment support, training or volunteering opportunities.

Community Action Redbridge can help you get some work experience and volunteering in the community. It's open to both asylum seekers and refugees.

The Mentoring Programme gives 16-25 year old's one-to-one support and advice to help them settle into the UK.

The Risers Programme offers work experience for young people seeking asylum.

Reach Out Domestic Abuse Service provides practical and emotional help for anyone affected by abuse at their home or accommodation.

Adanna Women's Support Group provide information and advice drop-in sessions to support women with employment, relationships and debt.

Rainbow Youth and Community Trust is a support network hub for parents and young members of the LGBTQI+ community.

CARE 4 CALAIS provide a community clothes bank every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm at Clementswood Baptist Church, Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG. For more information, contact Carolyn.Difalco@care4calais.org

Loxford Community Cafe is open every Sunday from 11.30am to 3pm at Loxford Polyclinic, 417 Ilford Lane, IG1 2PF where you can access free legal and benefits advice, food bank assessments, make friends etc. For more information contact Sonia.Lard@redbridge.gov.uk

Frenford Sports for Young People offer free access to sports for children and young people. For more information contact asylum@redbridge.gov.uk

Foodbanks that allow you to drop-in

1. Chapters Foodbank, 29 Telegraph Mews, IG3 8TA is open on Sundays from 12pm to 2pm. It includes essential groceries, cleaning products and clothes. For more information, contact 020 3488 9459 or 079 7112 4862
2. Frenford Foodbank, Jack Carter Centre, The Drive, IG1 3PS is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2.30pm and 5.00pm. For more information, contact frenfordfoodbank@gmail.com or 020 8518 0992

Foodbanks that require you to call in advance to register

1. Al Ansar IEC, 833 High Road, IG3 8TD is open on Sundays from 10.30am to 12.30pm serving Halal food. For more information contact ash@servinghumanityfoundation.org.uk or call 020 3488 9459 or 079 712 4862
2. Helping Hopes Food Bank, Ilford Engagement Hub, Ilford, IG1 2HX is open on Mondays from 11am to 12pm. For more information contact helpinghopes5@gmail.com or call 079 4657 5707
3. FoodBanked, 114 Queensborough Grdens, IG2 6YR is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm. Contact ashraf@foodbanked.org.uk or call 078 4644 2750
4. Perfect Mix, Loxford Children's Centre, 136-138 Ilford Lane, IG1 2LG is open every Monday from 12pm to 3pm. To get involved in free weekly community cooking and connecting with other asylum seekers contact Sonia.Lard@redbridge.gov.uk
5. Home Cooking, Ilford High Road, Baptist Church, IG1 1QP is open on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For more information, contact simon.standen@gmail.com
6. Ilford Community Grocery, City Gates, 25-29 Clements Road, IG1 1BH. Access a wide range of affordable supermarket products for a low fee. There is an annual membership fee of £5 and each shop will cost £5. Once you’re a member you can shop at the Community Grocery multiple times a week and fill up your basket.

Foodbanks you must be referred to 

1. Jubilee Church, IG1 4JY is open on Tuesdays from 12pm to 1pm, Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm
2. All Saints Goodmayes, IG3 9SJ is open on Fridays from 10am to 12pm
3. Grange Hill Methodist, IG7 4HQ is open on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm
4. Woodford Baptist Church, E18 1LW is open on Fridays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

For more information, contact info@redbridgefoodbank.org or call 020 815 0056

Redbridge Children's Centres Baby and Toddler Banks provide essential items needed for a baby and/or toddler such as clothes and nappies.

For those who may be having financial hardship in accessing such items please contact the individual centre for opening times or email childrens.centres@redbridge.gov.uk for further information.

1. Orchard Baby Bank, Liston Way, IG8 7BL is open on Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm
2. Loxford Baby and Toddler Bank, 136 Ilfrod Lane, IG1 2LG is open on Tuesdays at 9.30 and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm
3. Hainault Baby and Toddler Bank, 114 Huntsman Road, IG6 3SY is open on Mondays from 9.30am to 11.30am

Check if you may be entitled to Universal Credit and how to claim online.